Share this Page

Henderson defends Liverpool’s post-match salute

Jordan Henderson has defended Liverpool’s post-match salute after the Reds drew 2-2 with West Brom on Sunday.

Liverpool came in for criticism after Jurgen Klopp led his players in a line to salute the Kop, with the Reds having rescued a draw against the Baggies with a stoppage-time equaliser.

Klopp regularly conducted such salutes after home games at Borussia Dortmund, but some felt such a show of celebration was unnecessary after having to battle to draw against Tony Pulis and his merry men.

Captain Henderson, who scored on his first Premier League start since August after returning from injury, says it was merely a show of thanks, however.

“The crowd kept with us,” Henderson told Liverpool’s official website. “Even when we were getting beat, they kept us going and we managed to get the equaliser.

“I thought we were going to drag ourselves over the line for the winner. We’re trying to create that atmosphere here even more so and the fans were brilliant. We’ve got to keep that going and win games here for them.

“Overall, we’re disappointed we haven’t won the game. It was a game we should be winning at home and we didn’t do that. But at the same time, we kept going right until the end, managed to get the equaliser and kept pushing for a winner, but couldn’t get it over the line.

“We need to make sure we defend set plays much better. We’ve been working on it because it’s not good enough, to be honest. We need to keep working on it and improve quickly because it’s cost us two points.”

He said: “I thought the second goal was brilliant from Divock, obviously it took a big deflection but I thought he had a big impact when he came on and got the equaliser for us.

“He’s still very young – you don’t realise how young he is sometimes! In the last few weeks he’s been brilliant, getting his hat-trick [at Southampton] and then coming on against West Brom and having a big impact in the game, so I am delighted for him.”